Planned retreat still on table at Lake Cathie

Four options for addressing the impacts of coastal erosion at Lake Cathie south of Port Macquarie have been put up for public discussion and comment.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will exhibit Stage Two of the Lake Cathie Coastal Management study for the next ten weeks.

Options include a 400 metre rock wall, a groyne off the beach, a beach renourishment program and a planned retreat involving voluntary acquisition of affected properties.

Council Administrator Neil Porter says at this stage he's not ruling out any of those options.

"We'll be having a public meeting with the community at Lake Cathie in early May and of course the consultation period is open for all people to make a submission and as I say I'll be guided by the community's wishes at the end of that ten week period."

He says while the study recommends planned retreat, the final decision will be guided by community consultation.

"I guess the cheapest option is the planned retreat option and that's the option that was I guess the consultants have recommended but obviously the range of options range from around eight to ten million up to about seventeen million dollars," he said.